MINNEAPOLIS - Minneapolis agreed Friday to ban chokeholds by police and to require officers to try to stop any other officers they see using improper force, in the first concrete steps to remake the city's police department since George Floyd's death.

The changes are part of a stipulation between the city and the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, which launched a civil rights investigation this week in response to the death of Floyd. The City Council approved the agreement 12-0.

PHELPS - Today, the Robbins family broke ground on their new home, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

"This is really exciting," said Dave Havel of the Northwoods Habitat for Humanity chapter. "With all of the issues we've had as a nation as a community. It's really great that we're moving forward and able to help this local family here in Phelps."

Excavation will start in the next few weeks - the next step in what both Rebecca and Cory call their dream home.

"They'll never know what this means to this family," said Rebecca Robbins. "They'll never know what this means to us. I have shed a few tears already and I'm sure a lot more to come. They'll just never know what this means to our family."

It will mean some freedom for Rebecca's daughter Jade.

"I will finally have my own room, after sharing a room with my older brother, then sharing one with my little brother," said Jade Robbins.

Cory works with Select Builders, the local contractor out of Eagle River hired by Habitat for Humanity.

"I can't believe I can do this," said Cory Robbins. "I mean, I've always dreamed of owning my own home and now I'm actually going to help build it."

This will be the 23rd home that Habitat for Humanity has helped build in the Northwoods, and the first one in Phelps.

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